TIPS TO AVOID GETTING OFFLOADED: Airport Immigration Requirements

We at ALBRESSA Travel look out for our fellow travelers. Part of it is safeguarding their hard-earned money by making sure their trip doesn’t go to waste by simply being offloaded in the Philippine airport right before they start their vacation in their dream destination. Not only is it a humiliating nightmare but also a huge waste of resources. 

Now that the Philippine Bureau of Immigration has upgraded their policies to curb human trafficking, we also need to up our preparation skills compared to when we can just get a ticket, pack our bag, and head to the airport. Below are our immigration requirements from personal experience. This is, however, not a guarantee that you will pass the BOI standards. But they will definitely give you a few steps ahead. Afterall, it will only be between you and the immigration officer: your background, how you answer his questions, and how you look like to him.

Daily, 40 people are denied boarding at NAIA Terminal 1 alone. The immigration officers did a good job of weeding out people who are illegally seeking greener pastures abroad by posing as tourists and not going through the standard procedure. Although it is everyone’s basic right to travel, its vagueness is also prone to abuse. Every right has corresponding responsibilities. Here are reminders that can help especially if you’re a first-time traveler and you don’t want the hassle of being offloaded:

Be aware that the Bureau of Immigration does not have an offloading policy. They are there before the security checks to pinpoint suspicious passengers and not to pull them out when they have boarded the plane before takeoff. Rarely does that happen.

Colloquially, “offload” means not allowed to leave the country. For this article, we will go with that definition.

TIPS TO AVOID GETTING OFFLOADED

What are the Philippine Airport immigration requirements?

  1. Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)
  2. Round-trip ticket
  3. Visa, if applicable

These are the things that are usually asked of you by the Immigration Officer (IO). Out of the blue, they may also ask for a company ID and hotel reservation.

What do Immigration Officers (IO) usually ask?

  1. Where are you going?
  2. What is your occupation here in the Philippines?
    –   Checking if you’re employed. Have your Certificate of Employment (and approved leave form) ready.
    –   What company do you work for? Have your Company ID ready.
  3. Where will you be staying? Have your hotel booking ready. If staying with friends, know their full names, complete address, and contact details.
  4. What will you do there? Have your itinerary ready.
  5. Whom are you traveling with?
  6. When will you return to the Philippines? Have your round-trip ticket ready.

Answer confidently, consistently, and truthfully while looking fabulous!

In some instances when the officers deem necessary, you will be subjected to a secondary inspection for additional questioning.

Who are more likely to be questioned by Immigration Officers (IO)?

According to a memorandum entitled Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Passengers, released by the Bureau of Immigration to their airport and seaport officers in 2012, the traveler will then be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Age
  • Educational attainment
  • Financial capability to travel
 

Financial capability usually becomes the issue. According to BOI (as told to a news agency), passengers who are more likely to be questioned are:

  • First-time tourists flying to a not-so-popular destination.
  • Tourists with no steady source of income in the Philippines and no benefactors.

Financial capability is not a requirement, according to BOI. However, “a person may only be asked to present further proof for his travel abroad if the person appears to have a reason different from what he has declared before an immigration official.”

Still, because the IO were not presented with believable proof, THREE to FOUR of the 50 people who get offloaded actually had legitimate reasons but were still offloaded. What went wrong? It varies from person to person. But one thing is for sure: the passenger was not convincing.

What Additional Documents may an Immigration Officers (IO) ask for?

“When the officers deem necessary, you will be subjected to a secondary inspection for additional questioning.” It means a secondary inspection is subjective to the IO’s decision. Your trip happening still highly depends on these gatekeepers.

To avoid getting offloaded, you need to be prepared with the right documents all the time.

In case you are brought in for a secondary inspection, you will need to prove you are returning to the Philippines after your vacation or that you have the means to financially support yourself on this trip. How is that? Have on hand the following even if you have the truest intentions:

  • Company ID
  • A copy of your latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • Certificate of Employment (best if it indicates your salary and how long you have been with the company) or business registration docs for self-employed

These will be sufficient proof of your employment in the Philippines and supposed intent to return. In some cases, the officers might ask for more proof.

However, some countries might take bringing a copy of COE/business registration negatively because it is not something that tourists usually bring on vacations. Our advice is to have a soft copy instead. This way, you can easily access and present to PH officials without bringing too many documents. You can also have your COE addressed to the Immigration Officer in the Philippines to erase doubts that it would be used for something else.

What Documents should Freelancers bring?

As a freelancer, you probably wouldn’t have a company ID and a Certificate of Employment. These are what you should have:

  • A copy of your Income Tax Return for the past year. 
  • Certificate of Employment-type of document. Using a letterhead, have your client/s testify that you’re doing business with them for a certain amount and duration of time. This should also indicate the address and contact details of the client/s. 
  • Business Registration Certificate (DTI or SEC papers with Mayor’s Permit)

What Documents should Unemployed Fresh Graduates bring?

Fresh grads who are still unemployed should find a sponsor who is a family member and prepare the following documents:

  • Authenticated affidavit of support indicating the relationship within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, together with the supporting documents.
  • An affidavit of undertaking/ guarantee
  • Sponsor’s ITR or bank documents

The IO will probably ask why you’re traveling. Be honest and say if it’s a graduation gift. Bring a copy of your diploma if you can.

Note, however, that having the above documents does not guarantee anything but it can help.

What are Additional Requirements for Travelers with NO Financial Capability?

Travelers who can’t financially support the trip themselves must have a sponsor, who is ideally an immediate relative. They should have the following documents:

  • Authenticated affidavit of support indicating the relationship within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, together with the supporting documents.
  • An affidavit of undertaking/ guarantee
  • Sponsor’s Certificate of Employment, ITR, or bank documents.

Note again, however, that having the above documents does not guarantee anything but it can help

Who are candidates for an Automatic Second Inspection?

  • Travelers without financial capacity to travel escorted/accompanied by a foreigner who is not related;
  • Minor traveling alone or unaccompanied by either parent or legal guardian without the required travel clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 
  • Repatriated irregular workers, in which case, travel may not be allowed without the clearance from the IACAT (Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking);
  • Partners and spouses of foreign nationals intending to depart to meet and/or marry his/her fiancé without the CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate
  • Passengers traveling to countries with existing deployment bans, alert levels and travel advisories and those in possession of a visas to the said countries
  • Passengers who stayed abroad for more than one (1) year during a previous departure from the country as a tourist/temporary visitor, intending to depart for the second and/or subsequent time.

Always have a Travel Authority for Government Employees!

For official travel, government employees must also provide a travel authority.

What should Travelers who are Accompanied by a Filipino Sponsor bring?

  • Affidavit of Support with Undertaking containing the following details:
  1. Sponsor’s financial capacity
  2. Sponsor’s undertaking for your tourist travel with intent to return
  3. Sponsor’s complete residential address and contact details
  4. Sponsor’s corporate registration papers, if applicable
  5. The affidavit must be notarized.

However, if the accompanying sponsor is a Filipino relative, the officer may not ask for it. But have it ready to be sure.

What should Travelers who are Invited or Sponsored by a Filipino Abroad bring?

  •  Affidavit of Support with Undertaking (notarized, if sponsor is residing in the Philippines or authenticated at the Philippine Embassy in the inviter/sponsor’s country) stating that the inviter will shoulder the trip expenses in part or in full, and that the visitor you will be under their responsibility during the stay in that country. It should contain the following information:
  1. the visitor’s personal information
  2. the inviter’s personal information
  3. the inviter’s legal status abroad (citizen, resident, temporary resident, etc.)
  4. the inviter’s financial capacity
  5. the details of the trip
  6. the reason for the invitation
  • Sponsor’s bank certificates or tax documents
  • Proof of relationship 
  • Sponsor’s corporate registration details if the inviter is a corporation or business

Note that the inviter/sponsor and the visitor should be within fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity (up to first cousins by blood or marriage). SOMETIMES, they accept an Affidavit of Support from a non-relative if everything else looks good. It’s on a case-by-case basis. There is still a good chance that the affidavit will be rejected and you will still be offloaded even if you have an affidavit of support from a non-relative.

What should Travelers who are Accompanied or Sponsored by a Foreigner bring?

A.K.A. traveling with or going to meet a foreign boyfriend, girlfriend or friend abroad (which is a BIG RED FLAG for human trafficking)

According to the same memorandum entitled Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International-Bound Passengers, released by the Bureau of Immigration to their airport and seaport officers in 2012, the following will be subject to secondary inspection:

  • Travelers without financial capacity to travel escorted or accompanied by a foreigner who is not related
  • Partners and spouses of foreign nationals intending to depart to meet and/or marry their fiancé without the CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate

You’re most likely to undergo a secondary inspection if they still follow this memorandum.

An Affidavit of Support/Guarantee/Undertaking can help. BUT not always because strictly speaking, only a RELATIVE within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity can support a traveler. SOMETIMES, they accept an Affidavit of Support from a non-relative if everything else looks good. SOMETIMES. Again, it’s on a case-by-case basis. There is still a good chance that the affidavit will be rejected and you will still be offloaded even if you have an affidavit of support from a non-relative.

Another thing, the traveler needs to show proof of relationship with the foreign sponsor like photos together. Personal questions like length of relationship and how you met will also be probed.

If there is no physical proof of relationship or it’s the initial eyeball, you are most certainly going to be offloaded. Online chats and email, no matter how lengthy, will never be proof enough. Like your parents, the IO will protect you from advantageous foreigners, especially if you have no financial capacity to travel because you will be very vulnerable abroad.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THESE THREE IMPORTANT POINTS

  1. Have all the requirements: Valid passport, round-trip ticket, and visa (if applicable).
  2. Bring a copy of documents that can prove you will travel as a tourist (and that you will not be working or looking for a job there and/or that you can afford this trip): Company ID, ITR, Certificate of Employment (or Business Registration Certificate), hotel reservation (if applicable), the credit card you used to book the ticket (or a copy of it if it’s not yours).
  3. Be honest, consistent, confident, and fabulous. If they ask questions, answer truthfully. Travelers found misrepresenting the purpose of their trip as a tourist shall not be cleared for departure. Being honest makes you more confident because you know the details no matter how stressful it gets. Know your trip — you don’t need to have a printed itinerary but at least have a sort of plan in your head. Where will you stay? What sites will you visit? When will you return? The last thing you want is to appear like you’re lying even when you’re telling the truth. And always please dress up for traveling! Looking like you just rolled out of bed won’t get you anywhere. You are, afterall, representing the Philippines when you’re out there.

DISCLAIMER: During these unprecedented times, travel policies, health information, and protocol change erratically and without notice. Please double-check with the proper authorities and respective professionals for up-to-date information upon reading this article and before application. Following updated health and safety measures in your country of origin and destination will help end the Pandemic the soonest. Be informed and stay safe!